Sky line logging carriage



March 18, 1952 J. L. YELTON 2,589,315

SKY LINE LOGGING CARRIAGE Filed March 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR.

( ukmes L. Ye/fon dZM WM ATTORNEY March 18, 1952 YELToN 2,589,315

SKY LINE LOGGING CARRIAGE Filed March 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 all? 2We? 3 7 A59 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY March 18, 1952 J. L. YELTON SKY LINE LOGGING CARRIAGE 4Sheets-Sheei 5 Filed March 15, 1948 I N VEN TOR. @fames L Ye/fon BY Azromvgy March 18, 1952 L, ELTON 2,589,315 I SKY LINE LOGGING CARRIAGEFiled March 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jay 5 U6 53 /46 ll 5 //52 mes 4Yz/ibm me By (7- Ji '6' mmvE v Patented Mar. 18, 1952 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE SKY LINE LOGGING CARRIAGE James L. Yelton, Bellingham,Wash.

Application March 15,1948, Serial No. 14,971

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a sky line logging carriage adapted for use inpicking up and transporting logs but the same can be used for otherpurposes wherein a carriage supported for movement on a track cable isused for picking up and transporting loads.

An object of this invention is to provide load pick up and transportingdevices in which the load is picked up and transported clear of theground rather than being dragged along the ground, as is frequently donein logging.

In logging operations it is common practice to employ an overhead trackcable or sky line having a carriage movable thereon to bring the logsfrom the location where they are felled to a central loading point, thisbeing done by lifting one end portion of the log and dragging the otherend portion thereof along the ground. By the use of such apparatus manysmall trees, which it is desirable to save in the interest ofre-forestation and forest conservation, are destroyed. It is an objectof this invention to provide logging equipment which will make itpossible to conserve and save these small trees.

Another object is to provide an efiicient carriage which will simplifythe work of picking up logs and transporting them clear of the ground.

A further object is to provide a carriage having thereon means operatedby movement of the carriage along its track cable for compressing fluidand further having thereon means for utilizing such compressed fluid foroperating -cable clamp means and drum brake means.

Another object is to provide a carriage having novel control meansresponsive to movement of the carriage along a track cable andresponsive to stopping of the carriage on the track cable and operableto control the application and release and holding of cable clamp meansand drum brake or locking means.

Another object is to provide a carriage having control means whichcombines cable operation and automatic operation and to provide in saidcontrol means air coupling means of novel form which obviatesinterference between the cable operated control means and the automaticcontrol means.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent 2 3 is a plan view ofthe carriage shown in Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a diagram of the hydraulic cable clamp and brake means andcontrol means therefor.

Fig. 6 is a detached sectional view of a four way valve used in thehydraulic means.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a hydraulically operated governor devicewhich can be used in the control means in place of a fiyball governor.

Referring more particularly to the drawings reference numeral 10designates the carriage in its entirety. The frame of this carriage iscomposed of two longitudinal channels II and I2 on the top and near thecenter of which are secured two cross channels 13 and I4preferablywelded to channels H and I2. Welded to and projecting downwardfrom the ends of channels l3 and M are two side frame members [5 and I6.Near the right end of channels H and I2, Figs. 2 and 3, are journalbearings I! in which rotates shaft l8 to which is secured sheave [9.Near the end of channels I l and [2 shown at the left in Figs. 2' and 3are mounted journal bearings 20 in which is rotatively mounted a shaft2! to the center of which is secured a sheave 22. To one end of shaft 2|is keyed a bevel gear 23. Meshing with bevel gear 23 is a bevel gear 24of a governor which will be described more in detail later. To theopposite end of shaft 2| is secured an eccentric 25 for operating an oilpump which will also be described more in detail later.

Near the center of side frames I5 and i6 is secured a shaft 23 on whichis rotatively mounted a unit drum represented in its entirety byreference numeral 21. Unit drum 2'! is composed of three drum sections28, 29 and 36. On drum section 28 is wound a main line cable and on drumsection 29 is wound a pick-up cable and on drum section 38 is wound ahaul-back cable. These cables are hereinafter described in connectionwith Fig. 1.

Drum section 28, see Fig. 4, is provided with an outer flange 3| and isseparated from drum section 29 by the common flange 32. Drum section 30is provided with an outer flange 33 and is separated from drum 29 by acommon flange 34. All of the flanges 3l-3233-34 extend inwardly to wherethey unite with a common cylindrical section 35 the outer ends of whichare provided with hubs 36 into which are pressed sleeves 31 which rotatefreely on the shaft 26.

From the inner peripheral face of drum 30 projects a flange 35a. 38 is abrake drum which is provided with a brake surface 39, an inwardlyprojecting flange 40, and outwardly projecting lugs 4|. Lugs 4| aresecured to flange 35a by bolts 42 and nuts 43. 44 and 45 are brake shoeswhich are circular in contour and to the outer faces of which aresecured brake linings 46, by means of rivets 41. The upper ends of brakeshoes 44 and 45, Fig. 5, are hung on two pins 48 which are threaded andscrewed into side frame I6. To the lower end of brake shoe 45 is pivotedan oil cylinder 49 by means of pin 50 and to the lower end of brake shoe44 is pivoted the outer end of piston rod I by means of pin 52. To theinner end of piston rod 5|, Fig. 5, is secured a piston 53 slidingfreely in oil cylinder 49. To the open end of cylinder 49 is secured acover 54 provided with proper packing and gland 55.

In the lower ends of side frames I5-I6 is supported a shaft 56 on whichis rotatively mounted an idler drum 51. 58 is a spacer and 59 is a bellcrank. 59 comprises a hub 60 and levers El and 62. The lever 62 isforked and carries a roller 63 rotatively mounted on a pin 64.

Welded to the lower flanges I Ia and IZa of the channel members I I andI2, Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, is a heavy steel plate 65. Threaded into thisplate are two upwardly projecting rods 66 and 61. The top end portionsof rods 68 and 61 are threaded, as at 68, to receive two sets of nuts 69and 10. Between the nuts 69 and is securely clamped a yoke bar H towhich is secured an oil cylinder 12, Fig. 5. In oil cylinder 12 slides apiston 13 provided with a piston rod 14 the lower end of which isthreaded as shown at and tightly screwed into an upper brake shoe 15. Tothe open end of cylinder 12 is screwed a. cover 12a, provided withproper packing and gland 121). Brake shoe 16 is provided with holes 11to enable it to slide freely on rods 66 and 61. Running lengthwise onthe underside of brake shoe 16 is a semi-circular groove 18 which ismachined or provided in casting with a helical contour to fit over thestrands of a twisted wire track cable I1 I. Resting on plate 65 is alower brake shoe 19 provided with holes to assemble freely on rods 66and 81. The top surface of this brake shoe 19 is provided with alongitudinal groove 80 machined or cast to fit the contour of thetwisted wire track cable I1I.

Near the end of channels II and I2 shown at the left in Figs. 2 and 3 ismounted a governor represented in its entirety by reference numeral 8I.Governor 8| consists of a bracket or frame 82 secured to the journal asby cap screws 83. In bracket 82, Fig. 5, is rotatively mounted a shaft84 to the lower end of which is keyed the bevel.

gear 24 by means of key 24a. To the upper end of shaft 24 is secured thesleeve 85 by means of pin 85a. The upper end of sleeve 85 is providedwith'two upwardly extending forked brackets 86. Between the fork ends ofthe brackets 86 two gear segments 81 are rotatively mounted on pins 88.Gear segments 81 are provided with rigidly connected arms 89 to thelower end of which are attached governor balls 90. Meshing with gearsegments 81 are rack teeth 9| which are an integral part of shaft 92.Shaft 92 is free to slide in sleeve 85. Through the lower end of shaft92 is pressed a pin 93 which is free to slide in elongated apertures 94of sleeve 85. The outer ends of pin 93 support a sleeve 95 which isprovided with an annular groove 96 into which is rotatively mounted asplit ring 91. Pivoted at 99 on each half of the split ring 91 are theend portions of a forked lever I00 which is part of a bell crank IOI.I02 is the other lever of bell crank IOI.

Bell crank IN is supported from the channel 4 I2 by means of a bracketI03 bolted to the channel I2 by bolts I04, Fig. 3. To the lower end oflever I02 is pivoted a connecting link I85 by means of pin I06. Theother end of the link I05 is connected to the outer end of a valve stemI91 by means of a pin I08.

The four way valve of which valve stem I01 is a part is shown inlongitudinal section in Fig. 6 and is represented in its entirety byreference numeral I09. Valve I09 consists of a body portion III] havinga bore III to receive pistons H2 and H3, which can be an integral partof valve stem I 01. The body I I0 is provided with an inlet port H4 andwith outlet port means II5 and H6 uniting in a common outlet H1. Thebody I I0 is also provided with two discharge ports II8 and H9. Thearrangement of the ports II4, II5, H6,

H8 and [I9 and the spacing of the pistons H2 and H3 is such that whenoil is admitted into port I I4, the pistons I I2 and I I3 being to theextreme left as shown by broken lines in Fig. 6, the oil will flow fromport II4 into the discharge port H8 and the returning oil will dischargeby way of ports H9 and II5 into and through final exhaust port II1. Whenthe pistons are toward the right, as shown in full lines in Fig. 6, theoil will flow from port II 4 into discharge port H9 and the returningoil will discharge into port H8 and finally into exhaust port II'I.,Into the ends of body III] are screwed heads I20 and I2I provided withpacking I22 and glands I23 and Connected to port II9 of valve I09 is oneend of a pipe I25 the other end of which connects to the lower end ofoil cylinder 12, Fig. 5. From pipe I21 branches off another pipe I28which connects to the right end of oil cylinder 49. To port IIS connectsa pipe I21 which branches off into two pipes I28 and I29. Pipe I28connects to upper end of oil cylinder 12 and pipe I29 connects to theleft end of the oil cylinder 49.

From Fig. 6 it will be evident, the pistons being in position shown byfull lines, the oil will pass through pipe I25 into the lower end ofcylinder 12 releasing the cable clamping shoes 16 and 19 and oil willflow into pipe I26 and the right hand end of cylinder 49 settingthe-brake shoes 44 and 45 in the brake drum.

The right hand end of valve stem I01, Fig. 5, is connected to a looseconnecting link I39. One end of loose connecting link I30 is drilled andprovided with threads for receiving a threaded end portion I3I of thevalve stem I01. The link I30 is provided with an elongated transverseaperture I32. The right end of link I30, Fig. 5, is provided with holeI33 connecting with the aperture I32. Sliding freely in aperture I32 isa cross head I34 into which is threaded a stem I35. To the opposite endof stem I35 is secured a piston I36 which is slidably disposed in acylinder I31. Also slidably disposed in cylinder I31 is another pistonI38 to which is connected a stem I39. Piston I38 is provided with asmall hole I38a. The right end of cylinder I31, Fig; 5,

is provided with a cover I40.

Parts I39 to I40 inclusiveconstitutedelayed action means between thevalve I09 and the push-pull rod I4I. In this delayed action means thetwo pistons I36 and I38 in cylinder I31, the piston I38 having thebleeder hole I38a therein, form an air coupling which operates asfollows: When tension is exerted on wire I4I the piston I38 will bemoved to the right, Fig. 5. Because the hole I38a is small movement tothe right,

Fig. 5, of piston I38 will operate by suction to move piston I36 alongwith it, that is the piston I36 will be moved to the right byatmospheric pressure acting against the side thereof opposite to thepiston I38. This will move the valves H2 and H3 to the right, Fig. 6,into the position in which they are shown by full lines. Also thismovement of piston I36 will act through stem I35, link I30, stem I01,link I05, bell crank I9I, sleeve 95 and shaft 92 to lift governor arms89. A pull can be exerted on the push-pull cable MI by the winding in ofa pick-up cable I82 on the drum 29. This pick-up cable I82 carries atrip member I83 which engages the roller 63 when a load is raised,thereby moving the lever 62, BI and exerting a pull on cable I4I.

As soon as the pistons I38 and I36 have been moved to the right, Fig. 5,as just explained, air which has been compressed between piston I38 andthe cover I49 of cylinder I31 will begin to pass through small openingI38a and will tend to return the piston I36 to its original position.The elongated slot I32 in link I30 makes possible this return movementof piston I36. As soon as this delayed action of the air couplingdevices has taken place it is possible for the arms of the flyballgovernor to drop and in so doing to move the valve members H2 and H3back to the left to the position in which they are shown by broken linesin Fig. 6. Weight of the roller 63 and lever arm 62 will act through thecable I4I to move the piston I38 to the left, Fig. 5, to its initialposition after the roller 63 is released by trip member I83.

The push-pull cable MI is part of a control means which is responsive toa winding in of the pick-up line I82 and this control means operates inconjunction with the control means which is responsive to movement andstoppage of the carriage relative to the track cable I1I withouthampering the operation of the last mentioned control means.

Referring to Figures 3 and 5 reference numeral I46 indicates an oil pumpin its entirety. This oil pump comprises a cylinder I41 near the closedend of which are provided a suction inlet port I48 and a discharge portI49. The suction inlet port I48 is provided with a spring loaded ballcheck valve I50 and the discharge port I49 is provide? with a springloaded ball check valve I5I. The body I41 of the valve has a bore I52 toreceive a closely fitted reciprocating piston I53. To the outer end ofthe reciprocating piston I53 is pivoted one end portion of a connectinglink I54 as by a pivot I55. The other end portion of the connecting linkI54 is bored out as shown at I56 to permit the eccentric 25 to rotatefreely therein. The pump body I41 is provided with lugs I51 drilled toreceive cap screws I53 by means of which the pump is secured to channelII, see

Fig. 3.

Between the upper cross channels I3 and I4 is provided an accumulatortank I59 secured in place by means of straps I60 attached to thechannels by screws I62. Secured to channel II is a reservoir tank I63held in place by straps I6 I.

The pump inlet check valve I50 is connected to the reservoir I63 bymeans of pipe I64. Pump discharge check valve I5I is connected with oneside of a by-pass valve I65 by means of pipe I66. The other side of theby-pass valve IE5 is connected to the accumulator I59 by means of pipeI61. The by-pass valve I65 is connected with the reservoir I63 by meansof a pipe I68.

The accumulator I59 is partly filled with air and the bypass valve isarranged in such amanner and set so that the oil will discharge frompump I46 through pipe I66 through valve I65 through pipe I61 intoaccumulator I59 until a predetermined pressure is reached after whichtime the oil will be by-passed by valve I65 into pipe I68 which leads tothe reservoir I63.

The intake port II4 of the four way valve I09 is connected by means ofpipe I69 with the accumulator tank I59 and the exhaust port H1 isconnected by means of pipe I10 with reservoir Referring to Fig. 1, whichis illustrative of one set-up in which this carriage can be used, thecarriage I0 is supported on a track cable or skyline l1I which extendsbetween spar-trees I12 and I13. A haul-in cable I14, herein referred toas a main line, is secured to the carriage I0 by winding it on one ofthe drums, such as drum 28, Fig. 3. This main line I14 extends in onedirection from said carriage I0 and over a sheave I15 on the spar treeI13 and thence down to a drum I16 on a donkey engine I11. A haul-backline I18 is wound on another drum, such as the drum 36, of the carriageI0 and extends in the opposite direction from the main line I14 and overa sheave I19 on the spar tree I12 and thence back to a drum I on thedonkey engine I11. Preferably the donkey engine I11 is positioned nearthe spar tree I13 toward which logs I8! are to be hauled. A pick-up lineI82 is wound on the third drum 29 of the carriage I0 and extendsdownwardly therefrom over the guide roller 51, see also Fig. 2, for usein picking up a load such as a log I8I. A combined stop and trip memberI83 is secured to the pick-up line I82 near the outer end thereof forthe purpose of engaging with the roller 63 and operating the push-pullcable I4I in tube I44, Figs. 2 and 5, when the pick-up line is wound in.

The operation of this load pick-up and transporting device is asfollows: As a starting point it will be assumed that the carriage I0 isat rest on the track cable or skyline I1I at a station near the spartree I13 where logs or other loads are to be delivered and that thepick-up line I82 is in a lowered position. Under these conditions thevalve members H3 and H2 will be in the positions in which they are shownby broken lines in Fig. 6, the cable clamp will be tightly clamped ontothe track cable HI and the drum lockin means or brake will be released.By pulling on the main-line I14 the pick-up line will be wound on thedrum 29 until the trip member I93 thereon engages the roller 63 andexerts a pull on the member I4I. This will move the valve members I I2and I I3 to the right into the position in which they are shown by fulllines in Fig. 6 thus reversing the hydraulic connections to thecylinders 12 and 49 so that the cable clamp will be' released and thedrum locking brake will be applied. Also the pull of the member I4I willact through stem I39, pistons I38 and I36, stem I35, valve stem I01,bell crank I DI and shaft 92 to lift the arms 89 of the fly ballgovernor 8I. Next by winding in the haul-back line I18 and slacking themain line I14 the carriage I0 can be moved out along the track cable "Ito a po- .the main line I14.

7 sltion whereraload is to ibe'picked up. Movement of the carriage iIDalong the track cable I1I willrotate the flyball. governor 8| andv keepthe. arms thereof raised. This will maintain the fluid pressureconnections by which the cable clamp is held released and the drumlocking means or brake is held set or'applied. The trip member I83 willremain in'engagement with the roller 53 until the drum locking means.is'released but the piston I38 and'stem I35 of the air coupling meanswill move to the left, Fig. 5, so that the arms of the fiyball governorcan drop and move valves 2 and H3 to the left when the carriage I8 isbrought to a stop. Thus when the carriage I is stopped on the'trackcable thearms of the flyball governor will drop and this willmovethevalve members H3 and 2, Fig. 6, back to the position in whichthey are shown-by broken lines. This reverses .the hydraulic connectionthrough the four way vave I89 so as to apply the cable clamp to thetrack cable HI and release the drum locking means. With the drum 28, 29,38 thus released and the carriage It! held immovable on the track cableI'll the pick-up line I82 can be lowered by winding in the haul-backline I18 and slackin After a load such as a lo I 8| has been made fastto the pick-up 1ine-l82 this load can be lifted clear of the ground bywinding in the main line I14 and slacking the haul-back line I18. Whenthe lug I83 on the pick-up line I82 engages the roller 51 movement .willbe transmitted through member I4 I, air coupling I36, I31, I38, stem I35and valve stem I91 to move the valves I I2 and H3 to the right, Fig. 6,thereby releasing the cable clamp and applying-the drum locking means.This allows the load to be hauled in by windin in the main line I14'and'slacking the haul-back line I18. While the load is being hauled in thefly ball governor.

will'ma-intain the correct position of the valves H2 and H3 and the aircoupling piston I36 and stem I35 will be moved back to the position inwhich they are shown in Fig. so that when the carriage is stopped at theunloading stationthe arms of the governor 8I can drop and reverseconnections through the valve I89. This clamps .the carriage III to thetrack cable HI and releases the drumlocking means and permits the loadto be lowered by slacking the main line.

The pump I46 is driven from the shaft 2| and, for this reason, is.responsive to movement of the carriage I0 on the track cable HI and isfurther responsive to stoppage of said carriage on said I track cable.As the fly ball governor BI is driven from the same shaft 2| themovements of the flyball governor 8I and pump I46 .are synchronized. Forthis reason it is possible to replace the flyball governor by fluidpressure operated control means Which is responsive to the operation andstopping of the pump.

Such a control means is illustrated in Fig. 7, and comprises a tubularbody member I84 having-therein a cylindrical chamber I85 positionedbetween two other chambers l86 and I81. A piston I88 is reciprocablydisposed within the cylindrical chamber I85 and has a small perforationI88a'provided therein. Two piston rods I89 and I98 are integral with orotherwise rigidly secured to the piston l88 and are supported and;guided in suitable bearing members I 9| and I92 which are connected withthe respective end portions of the body member I84.

.Suitable. packing means I93 is provided inconnectionwitheachbearing-member I9I and I92.

The body member I84 is fixedly attached to any suitable part of theframe of carriage I0. The rod I is connected as by bracket means I94with the link I85, or said rod I90 can be connected directly with thestem I81 of valve I09. Thechamber I86 is connected with the dischargeoutlet of the pump I46. This canbe done by detaching conduit I66 frompump I46 and bypass valve I65 and connecting one end portion of aconduit or pipe I95 with the chamber I86 and the other end portion ofsaid conduit I95 with the check valve I5I at the pump outlet.

The chamber I61 is connected with the accumulator tank I59 as byconnecting one end portion of a conduit I91 with said chamber I81 andthe other end portion of the conduit I91 with the by-pass valve I65 inplace of the detached conduit I66. This places the control member ofFig. '1 in a, fluid conduit line between pump I46 and the by-pass valveI65.

A spring I98 is provided to urge the piston I88 to the left as shown inFig. 7.

The operation of the control device shown in Fig. '1 is as follows: Whenthe carriage is at rest on the track cable I1I the pump will be stoppedand the spring I98 will move the piston I88 the maximum distance to theleft, Fig. '7. This will position the valves II2 and H3 as shown bybroken lines inFig. 6 thereby setting the cableclamp and releasing thedrum brake. When the trip member I83 on the pick-up line engages theroller 63 and exerts a pull on the pushpull cable I4I the valves H2 andH3, Fig. 6, and the piston I88, Fig. '1, will all be moved to the rightthereby releasing the cable clamp and setting the drum brake. This makesit possible to move the carriage I9 along thetrack cable and operate thepump. Liquid from the pump entering the chamber I88 and flowing past theperiphery of the piston to the chamber I81 on its way to the accumulatortank I59.will hold the piston to the right, Fig. 7, aslong as the pumpcontinues to operate. When the pump is stopped by the stopping of .thecarriage the spring I98 will move the piston I88 to the left as fast asthe liquid escaping through perforation I88a will permit thus setting orapplying the cable clamp and releasing the .drum brake.

In some instances it may be desired to use the haul-back line I18 topullthe outerend of the pick-up line I82 out to where loads are tobepicked up. When this is to-be done the haulback line can be disconnectedfrom the drum means 21 and connected directly with the. pickup line I82,preferably outwardly from the trip member I83. -Also..when this is to bedone the haul-back line I18 is assed around anynumber of sheavesrequired to guide it to a position near where the load is to be pickedup. Consequently for this mode of operation it is necessary either todetach and move the sheave I19 away from the spar tree I12 or todisconnect the haulback line from this sheave I19 and pass saidhaul-back line over one or more other sheaves located at a distance fromthe spar tree I12. These sheaves can be positioned to one side of thesky line Ill and near the ground and at a location which will make itpossible to usethe haul-back line I18 to move the carriage outalong thesky-line HI and to unwind and pull out the pick-up line I82.

When the carriage is thus used with the haulbacklineI18'connecteddirectly with the pickup line I82 onlytwo of the threedrums. 28, 29, 38 are .used and for this mode of operation itwould bepossible to dispense with one drum in the construction of this carriage.

From the above it will be seen that the essential requirements of thedrum.means 21 are that this drum means be of a suitable construction sothat a main line, such as the line I14 and a pick-up line, such as theline I82 can both be wound thereon, the drum means being constructed andarranged so that when one of these lines is drawn out the other linewill be wound in the vice versa. Obviously the construction of the drummeans can be varied as long as two drum members are interconnected insuch a manner as to accomplish this purpose.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings clearly disclose apreferred embodiment of this invention but it will be understood thatthis disclosure is merely illustrative and that changes in the inventionmay be made within the scope and spirit of the following claims. Iclaim:

1. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carriedby the carriage operable to grip the cable and support the carriageimmovable on the track cable; and fluid pressure devices carried on thecarriage and responsive to movement and stoppage of said carriagerelative to said track cable and connected with said cable clamp meansfor operating the same.

2. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carriedby the carriage operable to grip the cable and support the carriageimmovable on the track cable; fluid pressure operated cable clampapplying and releasing devices connected with said cable clamp means foroperating the same; fluid pressure storage means mounted on saidcarriage; and fluid compressing means carried by said carriage andoperable by the carriage in response to movement of said carriage alongsaid track cable for compressing fluid in the fluid pressure storagemeans to operate said fluid pressure devices.

3. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carriedby the carriage operable to grip the cable and support the carriageimmovable on the track cable; fluid pressure operated cable clampapplying and releasing devices connected with said cable clamp means foroperating the same; a storage receptacle for fluid under pressurecarried by said carriage and communicatively con-- nected with saidfluid pressure operated cable clamp applying and releasing devices; pumpmeans carried by said carriage adapted to supply fluid under pressure-tosaid storage receptacle; and devices operated by the carriage inresponse to movement of said carriage along said track cable for drivingsaid pump means.

4. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carriedby the carriage operable to grip the track cable and support thecarriage immovable on the track cable; fluid pressure supply meanscarried by said carriage; fluid pressure operated devices communicatingwith said supply means and connected with said cable clamp means,whereby the cable clamp means can be applied to and released from thetrack cable; and control devices responsive to movement and stopping ofsaid carriage relative to said track cable controlling said fluidpressure operated devices, whereby said fluid pressure operated devicesare actuated to apply said cable clamp means and hold the same appliedwhen the carriage is at rest on the track cable and to hold said cableclamp means released when the carriage is being moved along the trackcable.

5. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable, a carriage having sheaves adapted to run on said track cable;cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to grip the cableand support the carriage immovable on said track cable; a fluid pressureaccumulator tank carried by said carriage; a pump carried by saidcarriage and communicatively connected with said tank; pump drivingmeans connecting said pump with a sheave of said carriage for drivingthe pump by movement of the carriage along said track cable; and fluidpressure actuated clamp operating means communicatively connected withaccumulator tank and operatively connected with said cable clamp means.

6. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage having sheaves adapted to run on said track cable;cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to trip the trackcable and support the carriage immovable thereon; a fluid pressureaccumulator tank carried by said carriage; a pump carried by saidcarriage and communicatively connected with said tank; pump drivingmeans connecting said pump with a sheave of said carriage for drivingthe pump by movement of the carriage along the track cable; fluidpressure operated devices communicating with said accumulator tank andconnected with said cable clamp means for applying and releasing saidcable clamp means; and control-devices responsive to movement of saidcarriage along said track cable adapted to supply fluid under pressureto said fluid pressure operated devices and apply said cable clamp meansto said track cable when movement of said carriage on said track cableceases.

7. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage movable on said track cable; a plurality ofinterconnected Winding drums carried by said carriage; drum lockingmeans operable to lock and release said winding drums; a main line woundon one of said winding drums; a pick-up line wound on another of saidwinding drums; and a haul-back line wound on one of said drums operableto unwind the pick-up line when said drum locking means is released andto move the carriage outwardly along the track cable when said drumlocking means is set to lock said winding drums.

8. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage movable on said track cable; a plurality of rigidlyconnected coaxial winding drums carried by said carriage and adaptedrespectively to have a main line, a haul-back line and a pick-up woundthereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drums againstrotation; and fluid pressure operated control means responsive tomovement of said carriage on said track cable adapted to apply said drumlocking devices and lock said drums against rotation in response tomovement of said carriage on said track cable.

9. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage mounted to travel on said track cable; cableclamp-means carried by said carriage operable to grip said track cableand support said carriage immovable on said track cable; three rigidlyconnected coaxial winding drums carried by said carriage and adaptedrespectively to have a main line, a haul-back line and a pick-up linewound thereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drums againstrotation; and fluid pressure operated control means responsive tomovement of said carriage on said track cable adapted to apply saidcable clamp and release said drum locking devices in response tostoppage of movement of said carriage on said track cable. -10. Loadpick-up transporting devices comprising 'an overheadtrack cable; acarriage "mountedto travel on said track cable; cable clamp meanscarried by said carriage operable to grip said track cable and hold saidcarriage immovable on said track cable; a winding drum carried by saidcarriage and adapted to have a pick-up line wound thereon; drum lockingdevices operable to lock said drum against rotation; means operable torotate said winding drum; and fluid pressure operated control meansresponsive to movement of said carriage along said track cable operableto hold said cable clamp released and said drum locking devices in drumlocking position in response to movement of said carriage along saidtrack cable and operable to apply said cable clamp and release said drumlocking devices in response to stoppage of movement of said carriage onsaid track cable.

' 11. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising anoverhead trackcable; a carriage movableon said track cable; cable clamp means carriedby said carriage operable to grip said track cable-and hold saidcarriage immovable on said track 'cable; three rigidly connected coaxialwinding drums carried by said carriage and adapted respectively to havea main line, a haulback line and a pick-up line wound thereon; drumlocking devices operable to lock said drums against rotation; and fluidpressure operated control means responsive to movement of said carriagealong said track cable operable to hold said cable clamp released andsaid drum locking devices in' drum locking position in response tomovement of said carriage along said track cable and operable to applysaid cable clamp and release said drum locking devices in response tostoppage of movement of said carriage on said track cable.

12. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage adapted to run on said track cable; cable clamp meanscarried by said carriage operable to grip the track cable and supportthe carriage immovable on the track cable; a fluid pressure accumulatortank carried by said carriage; fluid pressure supply means carried bysaid carriage and communicatively connected with said tank; threerigidly connected coaxial Winding drums carried by said carriage andadapted respectively to have a main line, a haul-back line and a pick-upline wound thereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drumsagainst rotation; fluid pressure operated devices communicating withsaid accumulator tank and connected with said cable clamp means forapplying and releasing said cable clamp means; other fluid pressureoperated devices communicating with said accumulator tank and connectedwith said drum locking devices; and control means controlling the supplyof fluid under pressure to both of said fluid pressure operated devices,said control means being responsive to movement of said carriage alongsaid track cable whereby said cableclamp will be held released and saiddrum locking devices will be held locked when said carriage is movingalong said track cable and said cable clamp will be applied and saiddrum locking devices released when movement of said carriage on saidtrack cable is stopped.

13. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage having sheaves adapted to run on said track cable;cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to grip the trackcable and support the carriage immovable thereon; a fluid pressureaccumulator tank carried by said carriage; a pump carried by saidcarriage and communicatively connected with said tank; pump drivingmeans connecting said pump with a sheave of said carriage for drivingthe pump by movement of the carriage along the track cable; threerigidly connected coaxial winding drums carried by said carriage andadapted respectively to have a main line, a haul-back line and a pick-upline wound thereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drumsagainst rotation; fluid pressure operated devices communicating withsaid accumulator tank and connected with said cable clamp means forapplying and releasing said cable clamp means; other fluid pressureoperated devices communicating with said accumulator tank and connectedwith said drum locking devices; and control means controlling the supplyof fluid under pressure to both of said fluid pressure operated devices,said control means being responsive to movement of said carriage alongsaid track cable whereby said cable clamp will be held released and saiddrum locking devices will be held locked when said carriage is movingalong said track cable and said cable clamp will be applied and saiddrum locking devices released when movement of said carriage on saidtrack cable is stopped.

14. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage having sheaves adapted to run on said track cable;cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to grip the trackcable and support the carriage immovable on said track cable; a windingdrum carried by the carriage and adapted to have a pick-up line woundthereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drum againstrotation; means operable to rotate said winding drum; control meansresponsive to movement of said carriage along said track cable operableto hold said cable clamp released and said drum locking devices in drumlocking position in response to movement of said carriage along saidtrack cable and to apply said cable clamp and release said drum lockingdevices in response to stoppage of movement of said carriage on saidtrack cable; and means operated by winding in said pick-up line forinitially operating said control means to release said clamp means andapply said drum locking means when said pick-up line is wound up to aload carrying position on said drum.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which the means operated bywinding in the pick-up line comprises a push-pull cable connected by aircoupling devices with the control means, said air coupling devicescomprising two separate pistons operable in a cylinder in close contactwith the cylinder walls, whereby a suction connection between said twopistons is pro- 13 vided, at least one of said pistons having an airpassageway of small size extending from one side to the other thereoffor slow relief of suction between said pistons thereby providingdelayed action release between the push-pull cable and the controlmeans.

16. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carriedby the carriage operable to grip the track cable and support thecarriage immovable on the track cable; a hydraulic cylinder connectedwith the cable clamp means for applying and releasing the same; a fluidpressure accumulator tank carried by the carriage; fluid pressure supplymeans carried by the carriage and connected with said tank and operatedby movement of the carriage along the track cable; a winding drumcarried by the carriage adapted to have a pick-up line wound thereon;brake devices operable to lock said drum against rotation; a hydrauliccylinder connected with said brake devices operable to apply and releasethe same; conduit means connecting both of said hydraulic cylinders withsaid tank; a four way valve in said conduit means; and control devicesconnected with said four way valve and responsive to movement of saidcarriage along said track cable, said control devices operating to holdsaid cable clamp released and said drum brake set in response tomovement of said carriage along said track cable and being operable toapply said cable clamp and release said drum brake in response tostoppage of movement of said carriage on said track cable.

17. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carriedby the carriage operable to grip the track cable and support thecarriage immovable on the track cable; fluid pressure operated devicesmounted on the carriage connected with the cable clamp means forapplying and releasing the same; and fly ball governor means mounted onthe carriage operated by the carriage in response to movement of thecarriage along the track cable and controlling said fluid pressureoperated devices.

18. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead trackcable; a carriage mounted to travel on said track cable; cable clampmeans carried by said carriage operable to grip the track cable andsupport the carriage immovable on the track cable; hydraulic meansmounted on the carriage operable to apply and release the cable clamp; apump carried by the carriage and connected with said hydraulic means andoperated by the carriage in response to movement of the carriage alongthe track cable; a valve mounted on said carriage controlling the intakeand discharge of liquid as respects said hydraulic means; and controldevices for said valve mounted on said carriage and operated by thepressure of fluid discharging from said pump.

JAMES L. YELTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 719,477 Lamb Feb. 3, 1903 947,447Miller et al. Jan. 25, 1910 1,360,475 Venable Nov. 30, 1920

